Marvel Now Reading Order Guide (2012 to 2015)

A completely complete guide to the comics of Marvel NOW! and All-New Marvel NOW!, leading up to 2015’s Marvel Universe shattering Secret Wars. This is the world of the Marvel Universe following the events of Avengers vs. X-Men. It’s important to note that Marvel NOW! is not an event or crossover so much as it is a “state of the Universe.” After the events of AvX, towards the last quarter of 2012, several new series were launched, and several others were given new #1 issues. Unlike DC’s similarly sales-tastic (don’t look that up) ‘New 52,’ Marvel did not reset the entire history and continuity of their comic book universe.

Below you’ll find a complete guide to every single Marvel story arc within Marvel NOW!, including crossover events like X-Men: Battle of the Atom, Age of Ultron, Infinity, and Avengers and X-Men: Axis. You’ll also find links taking you directly to each series for quick Marvel Unlimited reading, or the trade option for those of you who prefer the feel of real valyrian steel in your hands (is that not what books are made out of? I might not know a lot about publishing.)

The Marvel Now Reading Order

In many ways, Avengers vs. X-Men is the prologue to the first wave of Marvel NOW! books. You don’t necessarily have to have read this event, but it will be referenced frequently, starting with the books we can consider direct aftermath. As always, you can check out the full Comic Book Herald Avengers vs. X-Men reading order.

X-Factor

If you’re going to jump into X-Factor here, you’ll really want to run it all the way back to Peter David’s start on the series in 2005. I’m not sure we even had cars back then, that’s how long he’s been crafting this excellent series.

Captain America

Marvel NOW sends Captain America to ‘Dimension Z’ an alternate microverse created by Dr. Arnim Zola. As such, it’s essentially a story out of time, meaning you can read Cap’s exploits in Avengers books separate from Rick Remender’s run. At least until after Original Sin.

Indestructible Hulk

Iron Man

You could make a case that the ‘Godkiller’ story arc should be placed after the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy. Nonetheless, there is no reference to Iron Man’s association with the Guardians until Iron Man #9, and its placement works logically here.

Thor: God of Thunder

V) Marvel: Street First Wave

Daredevil: End of Days

A “last” Daredevil story that can be read at any point, really. That said, it forms a nice conclusion to the 2000’s runs on Daredevil, and transitions us towards Mark Waid’s brighter run on the character.

Daredevil

Highly recommend reading the entirety of Mark Waid’s run on Daredevil, which begins all the way back in July 2011 (a little over a year before Marvel NOW begins). Issue #22 marks the official start of Daredevil’s “Marvel NOW” books.

Silk

Spider-Gwen

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I’d move Wolverine & the X-Men #28 into section “II) X-Men First Wave” (making that #1 to #28 rather than #1 to #27) .. it’s currently cutting off the last issue of a four-part story with no real need.

I know #27AU is in Age of Ultron so this would technically mean reading #28 and #27AU out of order .. but it’s worth it.